Sermon – Part Two: What Have I Done Wrong? Answer Me!
Scripture: Micah 6: 1-3
Listen to what the Lord is saying to his people: “Stand up and state your case against me. Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaint. 2 “And now, O mountains, listen to the Lord’s complaint! For he has a case against his people Israel! He will prosecute them to the full. 3 O my people, what have I done that makes you turn away from me? Tell me why your patience is exhausted! Answer me!
How do we answer when God asks, “What have I done to you that you act this way?”
God has given His instructions, which is The Bible. The Bible is His Word on how to treat people, how to live and how to worship. We have been like a revolving door to God. In 1 Kings 14: 23, “sacred stones” were placed next to pagan altars. They were supposed to represent deity.
Rehoboam was a powerful king but he was not satisfied. God allowed Shishak of Egypt to invade Judah and Israel. This invasion did not destroy Judah and Israel but it weakened it to a point that it wasn’t as strong as it had been. The people became spiritually corrupt and immoral. They lost everything. When God is gone from our lives, everything else becomes useless, no matter how valuable we think it is.
God used His prophets to deliver His messages to His people throughout the Old Testament.
Did they listen? Do we listen?
What was prophesized over 3,000 years ago is still being told to us today.
God is saying both then and now, “I am your Father, your Creator, your One True God who loves you. Why do you disobey Me and place other gods before Me? Why do you hurt me? If you are not treating people fairly, showing mercy and humility, how can you say you love Me when you disobey my teaching?”
God, from His high desk in the courtroom looks out at us and says, “What do you have to say?”
There is silence. Heads are hung low and mouths are motionless. Eyes are downcast, and hearts and souls are not responding.
Search yourself.
There is nothing you can say. The people of the Old Testament had judges, kings and prophets. We, on the other hand, have The Word, The Bible, and Jesus Christ. As Psalm 139: 23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” We have no excuse.
Today God asks our streets, highways and alleys to testify about our lives. God tells these entities to testify. After their testimony Gods asks if there is a rebuttal?
Again, silence, heads hanging low, mouths motionless.
God looks out at all of the generations of people standing before Him in silence.
Then a voice is heard. “Father, have mercy, for they know not what they do.”
We turn to see who speaks these words. Our eyes see this Bright Light in Jesus Christ, our Advocate. He is pleading on our behalf. He makes recommendations for clemency.
Jesus Christ was beaten, nailed to the cross, pierced on His side and died for our sins. Now He stands before God, His Father, asking God to pardon us for our sins, and to forgive and excuse us of our errors.
This Jesus says to His Father in Luke 23: 34, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” His love for us never waivered.
What about our love for God, the Father, His Only Begotten Son, and the Holy Spirit? Has our love waivered?
God gives you a chance – this day and at this time – to follow Him.
He loves and forgives you. The court is still in session. Your judgment has not yet been handed down. All have sinned and have come short of His love. None except Jesus meets the requirement.
God will forgive and forget. You need only repent and ask for forgiveness.
Where is your place in line and what will your testimony be? What is your answer when God asks, “What have you done in My Name?”
Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:
Read the first part of the sermon, What Have I Done to Turn You Away?